Sweet & Spicy Chicken with Butternut Squash Recipe
This Sweet & Spicy Chicken with Butternut Squash is a flavorful, easy-to-make sheet pan meal featuring tender bone-in chicken thighs roasted alongside caramelized butternut squash. The combination of brown sugar, smoked paprika, and a touch of cayenne delivers a perfect balance of sweet heat, making it a comforting and delicious dinner option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2.5–3 lbs bone-in chicken thighs
Vegetables
- 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed
Seasoning and Oil
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (reduce or omit if sensitive to spice)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and spray a rimmed baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Ingredients: Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs. Peel the butternut squash and cut it into cubes of uniform size to ensure even cooking.
- Mix Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, melted butter, brown sugar, kosher salt, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir until well blended.
- Toss Chicken and Squash: Place the chicken thighs and butternut squash cubes in a large bowl. Pour the seasoning mixture over them and toss gently until everything is evenly coated with the mixture.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Spread the chicken and squash out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, placing the chicken skin-side up to allow the skin to crisp during roasting.
- Roast: Roast in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Halfway through cooking, stir the squash gently to ensure even caramelization, while leaving the chicken in place.
- Check Doneness and Serve: Check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove from the oven and serve the sweet and spicy chicken alongside the caramelized butternut squash. Optionally, garnish with dried parsley.
Notes
- You can add more vegetables to the sheet pan for variety or extra greens.
- Line the baking sheet with foil for easier cleanup, though the pan can be cleaned with some scrubbing.
- Adjust cayenne pepper according to your preferred spice level.
Keywords: Sweet Spicy Chicken, Butternut Squash, Sheet Pan Dinner, Roasted Chicken Thighs, Easy Weeknight Meal
